§ MR. EVELYN CECIL (Hertfordshire, Hertford)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster Genera], whether the Post Office has yet come to any decision with regard to the establishment of penny postage to the Orange River Colony, especially in view of the surcharges which have been frequently made on poor recipients of letters; and whether it would be possible to establish penny postage with the Transvaal so soon as its annexation is proclaimed.
§ THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY TO THE TREASURY (Mr. HANBURY,) PrestonNo decision has yet been come to. Although the 2½d. rate of postage must, for the present, remain applicable to the letters of the general public, those sent from or to the British forces serving in South Africa are specially exempted from surcharges.